claw back
In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.
Meaning · English
To recover or retake, with great effort, something that was lost, often by a government or official agency.
Where it’s used:
Used
American English
Examples
I was initially refused a refund, but eventually managed to claw back part of the money.
Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30)
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).
Common questions
What does “claw back” mean?
To recover or retake, with great effort, something that was lost, often by a government or official agency.
Is “claw back” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.